Container for fragile articles



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ls866q354 July 5, 1932. H. A. INMAN CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed April 17. 1930 WM a HHETHEJ 11v VENTOR arrylfilmam Patented July ,5, 1932 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY -A. IN'MAN, OF NEWARK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BLOOMER BROS. COI PANY, OF NEWARK, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CONTAINER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Application filed April 17, 1930. Serial No. 444,910.

This invention relates to a container for fragile articles such for example as eggs. An object of the invention is to provide a generally improved and more satisfactory contain- 5 er having provisions for cushioning the articles placed therein to lessen the danger of breakage both when the articles are being packed originally in' the container and while they are being transported. A further object is the provision of a container having cushioning means which aids in stiifening the container to prevent acci dental crushing thereof. Still another object is the provision of a container which eliminates the necessity of using a cushioned table for filling the container with eggs or the like, and which likewise veliminates the necessity of a cushion in a crate filled-with such containers.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a container having satisfactory cushioning means so designed and arranged that the entire container and cushioning means may-be manufactured and assembled for transportation substantially entirely by automatic machinery. v

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at theend of th specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan of a container constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the cover in open position and partiallybroken away;

Fi g. 2 is a vertical section taken transversely through the container with the cover in closed position;

' Fig. 3 is an .end View of the filler or partition structureremoved from the container and partially collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the same in collapsed position; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a slightly modified form of construction.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The novel and improvedcontainer of the present invention comprises a body having a bottom 10, sides 11, ends 12, and a cover 13, preferably all formed integrally from a single piece of cardboard or the like suitably folded and pasted in known manner. The cover 13 has a flap 14 arranged to be inserted inside the front wall 11 when the cover is closed, as plainly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

. This body receives a removable filler or partition structure comprising an intermediatelongitudinal partition member 15, another longitudinal partition member 16 on one side of the intermediate member 15, and

another longitudinal partition member 17 on the opposite side of the intermediate member. These three longitudinal partition memberspreferably lie in substantially vertical-planes and are substantially parallel to each other. being spaced a substantial distance from each other to provide article receiving spaces between them. a

The filler comprises also a plurality of transverse partition members 18 which extend across the longitudinal member's 15, 16, and 17 and which sub-divide the space between these members into a plurality of separate compartments,-each adapted to receive preferably a single article such as an egg. The longitudinal members and transverse members are suitably slotted where they cross each other to permit such crossing, as indicated diagrammatically in the drawing, the

exact details of the slots or connections be toward each other,so that the transverse partition members 18 are swung around from a position substantially perpendicular to the partition members15, 16, and 17 to a position substantially parallel to these latter members, as will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art. The slot connections between the members 18 and the members 15,16 and 17 permit a swinging movement of the transverse partitions relative to the longitudinal partitions and thus allow the filler or partition structure to be collapsed readily and to be expanded againeasily whenyit is" desired the body rtheegg-may be cracke Hence it is necessary in practice to provide acushion on the to of the table on which the containersrest w ile .the eggs are being packed, in orderto' enable the eggs to be placed comparatively rapidly in the containers without cracking them. Likewise, when eggs are shipped in such. containers in the usual form in crates each holding anu-mber of containers,;it is necessary. to provide cushioning elements in the crates so that-the jars which occur in transportation: will notbreak the eggs.

The presentiinvention provides cushioning means which is self contained in each containerand whichiobviatesthe use both of a cushion onl't-he packing table and of acushion in a shipping crater; When containers constructedinaccordaihcewith the presentinaryheretoforeu i 1 .v i

The cushioning -means' according to the present invention comprises a cushioning elevention, are being pacfked, they maybe placed directly upon ahordinary'table or any'other.

hardsurfacaandyet eggs or other fragile articles may be packed rapidly in the con tainer without any'substantial danger of breakage-f Likewise the containers of the present i'nventionmay be placed solidly in a cratfi ,vgithout tlfie Il'l ise of a cushioning element' an e Ottom 0 t i t v fnt iw will be at all times secured to the partition structure and may be handled asfa unit. 1 therewith. The oppositeedge of each cush inning element lies substantially in contact ment underlying the eggs 'in such' position as to support the eggs resilientlyabove the bottom 10 of the body. Thi's cushioningelement is so designed that it does not interfere with the collapsing of the filler or partition structure into a comparatively thin space.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cushioning element 'comprises a V-shapedstru'cture ofcardboardor preferably used in the space between each two longitudinal partition members, and since there are two such spaces in the container here illustrated, two such cushioning elements are employed, one between the partitions 15 and 16, and the other between the y partitions 15 and 17. Each cushioning element has one inclined side 20 and another inclined side 21- preferably made from a single y-integral piece of cardboardscored at Qfitd'form a hinge or joint at this point. The bottom of the V-shaped cushioning element, along the line 22, rests substantially upont-he bottom 10 of the body while the edges of the cushioning element are suitably supported at a higher elevation so that this V shaped constructionprovides a somewhat resilient cushioning element for supporting eggs 23. When thepartition members on either side of the cushioning element move toward each other during collapsingof the structure, thecushioning element may fold up about the score line 22 as a hinge. The cushioning elements-are shown partially col- 1 lapsed .in. Fig. 3, which the manner of collapsing.

These cushioning elements may be arplainly illustrates i as ranged in any desiredfmanner in the container, but preferably they extend longitudinally of the container in the spaces, between the longitudinal partition members 15, 16, and 17, as has already been mentioned. Thus two cushioning elements are provided, one

for the row of compartments between the members 15 and 16. and the other for the row of compartments between the members. 15.

and .17, each cushioning element preferably length of the cbntainer. when the filler is placedfwithinthe box body,

ti ally in contact with the ends 12 of the body,

V-shaped cushioning elements are substanm extending throughout substantially the nti're As shown in Fig.1

and thus act-as columns strengthening the body and tending to preventinward collapse One edge'of each cushioning element preferably aflixed to one of the partition or crushing'ofthe ends. I

members. so that the cushio ning elements a with another partition meimber, but "cannotbe fixed thereto because the partition mem-f bers move longitudinally relative to each structure, and if both edges of the cushioning 125. other during the collapsing of the partition element swere fixed to the adjacent partition a structure could not be collapsed'in the desired manner.

At present it is preferred to fix the cu sh ioning elements to the intermediate partition member and to have the outer edges of the cushioning elements in contact with butfree from the outer partition members 16 and 17. Obviously the cushioning elements could be fixed to members 16 and17 and free from the intermediate member 15, if desired, but the affixing of the cushioning elements to the intermediate member has a considerable advantage in that the weight-on the two sides of the partition member to which the cush ioning. elements are secured is thus balanced and there is no tendency for the weight of the cushioning elements .to bend or deform the bottom edge of the partition member 15-1.

to which they are attached.

In order to secure the cushioning elements to the meniben 15, each element is preferably provided with a flap 25 attached integrally to the inclined portion 21 and hingedly connected thereto by a score line 26. These flaps 25 extend downwardly along the sides of the lower portion of-the intermediate partition -15, as plainly shown in Fig. 2, and are secured to the member 15 in any suitable manner suchas by adhesive. The two cushioning elements and their attaching flaps 25 may be separate from each other, though :prcferablytheyare both formed of a single piece of material centrally scored and bent around the bottom end of-the partition 15 as at 27. i

For supporting the extreme edges of the "inclined portions of the cushioning elements, while leaving'them free of and unattached to partitions 16 and 17, flaps 30 are providedsimilar to flaps 25, the fiaps'30 being preferably integral with the portions 20 'andhinged thereto by score lines 31- These flaps 30 when in normal position withimthe container extend downwardly along side the partition members 16 and 17, as shown in'Fig. 2, and the bottom edges of the flaps rest upon the bottom 10 of the. container body. Thus these flaps serve to maintain the upper edges of the oblique portions 20in proper position. It will be seen from Fig. 2 that the oblique portions 20 and 21 together with the flaps and of each cushioning element form roughly the outline of a letter M, and thus the cushioning elements may be describedas M-shaped.

From the above description it will be seen that in the preferred construction, he flaps and portions 20, 21, 25 and 30 of bo h cushioning element-s are-preferably all made integrally from a single pieceof cardboard or the like suitably scored at 22, 26, 27, and 31.. It is found in practice that-the cutting and scoring of sucha cushioning member or pair of cushioning members may be done quickly and easily entirely by automatic machinto the place whereit is to be used, and then when the packer is ready to place the eggs or-other'articles therein, he may open up or erect the body, open up a filler, and place the filler in-the body. The opening of the filler and placing of it in the body automatically positions the cushioning elements in their proper place, since the resiliency of the cardboard from which the cushioning elements are constructed makes them tend to expand to the position shown in Fig. 2 and when the partition structure is forced downwardly into the container body, the expansion of the cushioning elements totheir effective position is completed by contact of the elements with the bottom 10 of the body and with the bottom edges of the transverse partition members 18;

It will'be seen from Fig. 2 that the bottoms of the transverse partition members 18 are substantially straight and that they lie above the tops of the cushioning elements so as not to interfere therewith, although the bottom edges of these partition members are substantially in contact with the tops of the cushioning elements and hold the free edgesof the elements down in proper position when the filler is being expanded and placed in the body In Fig. 5 there is shown aslightly mo'difiediconstruction which may be otherwise identical with the construction shown in Fig. 2 except that the transverse partitibn members 18 are provided with V-shaped downward extensions 18a fitting somewhat loosely into the space between the inclined portions 20 and 21 of the'cushioning elements.

Such extensions aid somewhat in opening ing elements are in their normal elfective p0,-

sition, eggs may be dropped rapidly into the compartments and the lower ends of the eggs will be cushioned by the surfaces 20 and 21 with which they willcontact. Thus the eggs will be supported somewhat resiliently above the bottom. 10 of the container, because the cardboard or other material of which the cushioning elements are constructed is slightly resilient orspringy. Since the container is thus rovided with a self contained cushioning e ement it is not necessary to provide a cushion upon which to rest the container: while the eggs are being packed therein.

Also, when'a number of such containers are piled in a crate, a cushion is not'necessary at the bottom of the crate or between successive layers of containers.

The cushioning elements stiffen the whole container and make crushing thereof more diflicult. As has already been mentioned, the ends'of tlie cushioning elements are substantially in contact with the ends 12 of the container and thus act as columns tending to prevent inward crushing of the ends. The weight of the eggs on the cushioning elements tends to hold the cushoning elements against displacement so that these elements, in turn,

hold the partition members 15, 16, and 17 against displacement and tend to prevent transverse crushing of the container. Also the fact that the partitions are stiffened some: what by the cushioning elements makes these partitions less likely to buckle and thus provides additional resistance against downward or vertical crushing of the container.

It isto be noted especially that this desirable cushioning construction does not interfere in any way with the folding or collapsing of the container, but is perfectly adapted to a collapsible construction. As is customary in the carton trade, the supplies of containers will be shipped from the factory to the egg packers in collapsed or knocked-down form, and the egg packers will first open or erect a container body, then'open or erect a filler or partit-ion structure, and then insert the erected filler in the body, which automatically positions the cushioning elements in proper relation so that the container is ready to receive eggs.

Although the construction has been described with particular reference to eggs, itis obvious that this desirable cushioning 'arrangement is equally useful in connection with any other fragile articles such as glass ware, or articles which should not be bruised, such as delicate fruit.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is to'be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is therefore not t6 be limited to the precise details described, but is inten'ded. to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling with the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container comprising a body having av bottom, a removable partition structure in the spirit of the invention or the scope of for subdividing said body into a pluralityof compartments, said partition structure including a plurality of partition members spaced a substantial distance from each other when in normal position in said body and collapsible by moving longitudinally with respect to each other to a position adjacent each other when said partition structure is removed from said body, and a cushioning element secured to one of said partition members and removable from-said body as a unit with saidpartition structure and extending in a generally transverse direction toward another partition member when said partition structure is in said body, to support an article placed in said body above the floor lapsible as a unit with said partition structure when said partiton members are removed from said body and collapsed, and said other partition member being movable longitudinally with respect to said cushioning element to permit collapse of the partition structure.

2. A container comprising a body having a bottom, a plurality of removable partition members placeable in said body in spaced relation to each other to form an article re ceiving space between them, and a substantially V-shaped cushioning element extending between two partition members with the bottom of said element substantially resting upon the bottom of said body, one edge of said element being-attached to one of said partition members, the other edge of said element being free to 'move longitudinally with respect to the other partition member, saidpartition members and cushioning element when removed from said body being colslapsible to occupy a relatively thin space.

3. A container comprising a body having a bottom, a plurality of removable partition members placeable in said body in spaced relation to each other to form an article receiving space between them, and a substantially V-shaped cushioning element extending between two partition members with the bottom of said element substantially resting upon the bottom of said body, one edge. of said element being attached to one of said partition members, the other edge of said element being substantially in contact with but" free from another one of said partition memthereof, said cushioning element being col- 229. PAPER ureter/acres.

ing between two partition members with the bottom edges of the side portions of said element substantially resting upon and supported by the bottom of said body, one of such side portions being attached to one of said partition members, said partition members and cushioning element when removed from said body being collapsible to occupy a relatively thin space.

5. A container comprising a body having a bottom, a plurality of removable partition members placeable in said body in spaced relation to each other to form an article receiving space between them, and a substantially M-shaped cushioning element extending between two partition members with the bottom edges of the side portions of said element substantially resting upon and supported by the bottom of said body, one of such side portions being attached to one of said partition members, the opposite side portion of said element being substantially in contact with but free from another one of said partition members, said partition members when removed from said body being collapsible by moving longitudinally relative'to each other and transversely toward each other, and said M-shaped element being folded up between said partition members by contact therewith when said members are collapsed.

.6. A container comprising a substantially rectangular body having a bottom, a plurality of removable partition members placeable in said body, said partition members including an intermediate longitudinal member, a longitudinal member on. each side of and spaced from said intermediate member, and a plurality of spaced transverse members crossing said longitudnal members to for article receiving compartments in the interstices between said members, and a cushioning element between said intermediate longitudinal member and said longitudinal members on each side thereof for supporting articles resiliently above the bottom of said box, said cushioning element comprising a strip of material extending 1ongitudinally below the bottoms of said transverse members' and foldable transversely about a substantially longitudinal hinge axis to permit said partition members to be collapsed when removed from said body.

7. A container comprising a body, a partition structure placeable in and removable from said body, said structure comprising a longitudinal partition member and a pinrality of transverse partition members to subdivide said body into a plurality of ar ticle receiving compartments, and cushioning means comprising a piece of sheet material folded around the lower edge of said longitudinal partition member and aiiixed thereto and extending in a general lateral direction from both sides of said member to provide a cushioning support for articles placed in said compartments.

8. A container comprising a body, a partition structure plaeeable in and removable from said body, said structure comprising a longitudinal partition member and a plurality of transverse partition members to subdivide said body into a plurality of article receiving compartments, and cushioning means comprising a piece of sheet material folded around the lower edge of said longitudinal partition member and aiiixed thereto and forming a substantially V -sl1aped cushioning element on each side of said member to support articles placed in compartments on either side of said longitudinal partition member, each of said cushioning elements being transversely foldable to a collapsed position when said partition structure is removed from said body.

9. A container comprising a body having a bottom, partition means for subdividing said body into a plurality of compartments, said partition means including a partition member extending in one direction and a plurality of partition members extending in an other direction, and a cushioning member attached to said member extending in one direction at a point above the bottom therea of, said cushioning member passing beneath 95' said partition members extending in another direction and extending obliquely downward ly from the member to which it is attached and resting on said bottom of said body at a point spaced from said member to which it is attached.

10. A container comprising a body having a bottom, a removable and collapsible partition structure forsubdividing said body into a plurality of compartments, said partition structure including a partition member extending in one direction and a plurality of partition members extending in a direction transverse thereto, and a cushioning member secured to said first named partition :10 member for removal and insertion as a unit with said partition structure, said cushioning member having a portion passing beneath said transverse partition members and extending obliquely downwardly from a point intermediate the top and bottom of said partition member to which it is secured and resting loosely upon said bottom of said body at a point spaced from said partition member to which it is secured, when said partition structure is in normal erected position within said body, said obliquely extending portion of said cushioning member being folded to a position substantially parallel to the partition member to which it is secured when said partition structure is removed from said body and collapsed.

11. A container for fragile articles comprising a body having a bottom, a partition member inserta-ble in and removable from said body, and a cushioning member of sheet material comprising a port1on relatively permanently attached to a side of said partition member and another portion hingedly se- 5 cured to said attached portion at a point intermediate the top and bottom of said partition member and extending thence obliquely downwardly and outwardly away from said partition member to rest loosely on said bottom at a point spaced from said partition member when said partition member is in normal inserted position in said bod HARRY A. IN AN. 

